The British Shorthair is a comparatively rare cat in the United States. Around 1980 it was recognized for championship competition by CFA stimulating much needed interest in the breed.

The British Shorthair is gaining in popularity every year as it is bred and exhibited by an increasing number of enthusiastic fanciers. Because of its easy-going nature and intelligence, it has become a favorite of animal trainers, for use in Hollywood films and television commercials. The British Shorthair is a sturdy, compact looking cat. It has a massive round head and a deep-chested, cobby body with a coat unique to its breed - short, dense, plush and "crisp", not soft to the touch. The hair coat is very easy to groom. A British Shorthair is always in quiet control of his or her environment, supervising everyone and everything that happens in the family. A larger sized cat that prefers to be on the ground, Brits are not known for acrobatics or speed.

Although first known as the British Blue, due to the breed’s original color, its native country incorporated a wide variety of colors under the term British Shorthair in the 1950’s. CFA also now recognizes the British Shorthair in many different colors and patterns. Of all the colors, blue has remained the favorite throughout the years.

A British Shorthair is a delight to own, being intelligent, affectionate, and not at all temperamental. Someone once said that British Shorthairs are typically British in temperament: they have a strong character but are rather reserved by nature. They demand less attention than other breeds, although they love it, and are not at all pushy and are just the cat to cope with busy lifestyles. Adaptable to its surroundings, the British Shorthair generally gets on well with dogs and other cats. They are extremely resilient when interacting with children and there placid, easy going, unflappable nature means they take almost anything in their stride. They make ideal pets for less active people as well as the busy household.